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Author: TriSec    Date: 07/01/2008 10:33:23

Good Morning.

Today is our 1,931st day in Iraq.

We'll start as we always do, with the latest casualty figures from the warron terra, courtesy of antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4113
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 3974
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3652
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3254
Since Election (1/31/05): 2676

Other Coalition Troops: 314
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 537

We find this morning's cost of war passing through: $ 532, 935, 700, 000.00

Given the national mortgage crisis, focusing in on just one state: Taxpayers in Massachusetts will pay $3.9 billion for the cost of the Iraq War in FY2007. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
13,505 Affordable Housing Units.

Check out the website; you can see the cost in your community too.



Turning to our friends at IAVA...it seems odd, but thanks to Congress and President Bush, the new GI Bill has just become law. It was a hard struggle, and it was attached as a rider to the new war spending bill, but nevertheless it's now the law of the land. let's take a look at some of the new benefits.




It's worth noting that despite widespread support from both sides of the aisle, one Senator was conspicuously absent with both his support and a vote...





Turning now to Afghanistan, in a story first noted by Raine yesterday, US casualties in this forgotten conflict have exceeded the casualties in Iraq for the second month in a row.
More U.S. and NATO troops have been killed in Afghanistan than in Iraq for the second straight month.

An Associated Press count finds that attacks in Afghanistan killed at least 44 international troops in June.

About 30 international troops have died in Iraq this month.

A record number of U.S. and NATO troops now patrol Afghanistan's dangerous countryside, exposing more soldiers than ever to danger. But Taliban attacks are becoming increasingly complex, and in June, increasingly deadly.

Four attacks in June killed four soldiers. No single attack had killed more than three international troops since last August.



Things are in such a state in Afghanistan now that our most loyal ally, Pakistan, is starting to question our actions. President Obama sure has his work cut out for him, doesn't he?

Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, came to The Washington Times today for an interview with editors and reporters. He answered questions about the new government in Islamabad, its efforts to do more against al Qaeda and the Taliban on their border with Afghanistan, and the hunt for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. A partial transcript of my question to the ambassador, and his answer, is below:

Q: We talk a lot in the U.S. about getting Osama bin Laden. It's important to the Bush administration; it's important to a lot of people, apparently, in the U.S. public. Is it important to the Pakistani people?

A: It is important to the Pakistani government that anyone who is a symbol of global terrorism should not be allowed to operate from any part of Pakistan or any of its neighboring countries. The Pakistani people have a different view. There is a complete failure of U.S. public diplomacy in the Muslim world, of persuading people of the U.S. case, which to me is a very good case. But somehow there has been a weakness in communicating to the Muslim people that Osama bin Laden is an enemy of Islam, and Muslims, as much as he is an enemy of the United States, or terrorism is an enemy of Islam and Muslims as much as terrorism threatens the United States. . . .

Right after 9/11, the U.S. made an effort. I don’t know how many of you remember Dennis Ross going and speaking in Arabic on al Jazeera, making the case. But who’s is making the case now? U.S. officials are not always available to people for briefings. It’s more important to them to talk to the American media than it is to talk to the Arab media or the Persian-language media or the Urdu-language media. And so, supporters of bin Laden in the meantime are very active. So basically in psychological warfare, bin Laden has made more gains than he should have been allowed to make. And that is the reason why there is confusion.



So, despite the small victory of the GI Bill, there's still much work to be done. Of course, the best way to support the troops is to bring them home.



"That's not too important. What's important is the casualties." --on when U.S. troops will return from Iraq, - Senator John McCain "Today," NBC, June 11, 2008

 

179 comments (Latest Comment: 07/02/2008 04:38:43 by Raine)
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Comment by m-hadley on 07/01/2008 12:04:03
First

Mornin' Everybody, :coffee:

Another excellent post, TriSec,

I love (hate) how both the Prez and McSame are both trying to take credit for this piece of legislation that they fought every step of the way :P

Cheers,

mfaye

:peace:

Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 12:16:34
Morning! WooHoo! Internet's working for me today! :hug:

Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 12:33:15
Morning you 4-effers!



Excellet post - albeit a sore subject.



Thanks!



It will be a GREAT day today. Tuesdays are such an odd lot, not the first, not the hump day but Mitch Albom was always doing Morrie so it has THAT going for it!



:)

Comment by Scoopster on 07/01/2008 12:46:04
Morning all! Going to be a much quieter day today workwise, but I do have a meeting all morning.. woo~

Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 13:07:40
Yeah Frangela!

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 13:28:50
Good morning everyone!







Comment by starling310 on 07/01/2008 13:38:21
Morning!



FRANGELA!



My trip to our nation's capital this weekend was lovely. If you haven't seen the Roosevelt monument yet it's a must see!!!



Re: Wesley Clark. . . .Ummmm.....I TOTALLY agree with what he said. I'm sorry, but I do.



Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 13:44:18
I didn't know you were in DC this past weekend :star:. Hope the crazy humidity didn't get to ya.

Comment by starling310 on 07/01/2008 13:47:26
Quote by wickedpam:

I didn't know you were in DC this past weekend :star:. Hope the crazy humidity didn't get to ya.




Yes, I was meeting my Lady Friend's Mom. She lives in Georgetown.

I actually got a pretty severe heat rash on my feet and legs. Crazy!

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 13:48:28
For those that did not get to see it last night, KO did a special Comment on Obama and FISA.



Now, hopefully Barack Obama will watch.

Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 13:49:16
Good morning everyone.



:staggers out of bed:

Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 13:51:05
Quote by starling310:

Quote by wickedpam:

I didn't know you were in DC this past weekend :star:. Hope the crazy humidity didn't get to ya.




Yes, I was meeting my Lady Friend's Mom. She lives in Georgetown.

I actually got a pretty severe heat rash on my feet and legs. Crazy!


Did you hear Randi's story about her sunburn yesterday? It was muggy even in New York this weekend. I think if we met up this past weekend I would have wanted a lot of pool time.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 13:52:33
Quote by starling310:

Quote by wickedpam:

I didn't know you were in DC this past weekend :star:. Hope the crazy humidity didn't get to ya.




Yes, I was meeting my Lady Friend's Mom. She lives in Georgetown.

I actually got a pretty severe heat rash on my feet and legs. Crazy!




Eek! Heat rash!



Georgetown is very cool, I only have ever gotten to see in at night though. I hear the shoping is good if not expensive. Its a rather posh section of town



Comment by starling310 on 07/01/2008 13:54:48
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by starling310:

Quote by wickedpam:

I didn't know you were in DC this past weekend :star:. Hope the crazy humidity didn't get to ya.




Yes, I was meeting my Lady Friend's Mom. She lives in Georgetown.

I actually got a pretty severe heat rash on my feet and legs. Crazy!




Eek! Heat rash!



Georgetown is very cool, I only have ever gotten to see in at night though. I hear the shoping is good if not expensive. Its a rather posh section of town





Georgetown was really nice. I definitely would NOT shop there as, yes, it is expensive and posh. Her mom used to be a Lobbyist for the ADA ( Dental Assoc. ) so, umm, yeah. But, there are some great looking theaters there. So awesome!!! I would love to live/do theater there.







Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 13:55:34
I actually agree with Wesley Clark as well. I am gonna try to find it on the youtubes, but Clark was on Dan Abrams last night, and he was really good.

Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 13:58:32
Terry Jeffries' family lives in a shoe.

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 14:01:25


Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 14:01:49
Clark was right - getting shot down and being a POW is not qualification for anything - the GOPhers are trying the Akido move - it won't work this time - watch how it unfolds.



McCain doesn't have any support from the ranks - they know he is McBush and they are mostly done with that.







Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 14:02:42
Quote by starling310:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by starling310:

Quote by wickedpam:

I didn't know you were in DC this past weekend :star:. Hope the crazy humidity didn't get to ya.




Yes, I was meeting my Lady Friend's Mom. She lives in Georgetown.

I actually got a pretty severe heat rash on my feet and legs. Crazy!




Eek! Heat rash!



Georgetown is very cool, I only have ever gotten to see in at night though. I hear the shoping is good if not expensive. Its a rather posh section of town





Georgetown was really nice. I definitely would NOT shop there as, yes, it is expensive and posh. Her mom used to be a Lobbyist for the ADA ( Dental Assoc. ) so, umm, yeah. But, there are some great looking theaters there. So awesome!!! I would love to live/do theater there.









I've been to the National, the Kennedy Center and Fords so yeah, they are real nice. Still want to hit the Folger and Arena stage at some point but I have a hard time finding matinees and when I do I don't have the cash to go. Which sucks, but I still keep looking.



Comment by TriSec on 07/01/2008 14:03:54
*grunt*



Well, our DC run is on hold; still looking to make it there for 01-20-09!



But we're still taking some time this summer...we'll be heading up to Franconia Notch (NH) for a few days to hit Storyland and Clark's Trading Post, then maybe down to Providence (Roger Williams Park) or Mystic (Seaport/Aquarium) for a day later in the week.



If there's any takers, a mini-meetup could be a possibility....





Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 14:06:57
Quote by livingonli:

Terry Jeffries' family lives in a shoe.




That makes sense, I was having trouble believing he was really from the Keebler tree. . ..

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 14:09:02
Ralph Nader.



:rage: R*cking Ralph :rage:


Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 14:10:09
Quote by TriSec:

*grunt*



Well, our DC run is on hold; still looking to make it there for 01-20-09!



But we're still taking some time this summer...we'll be heading up to Franconia Notch (NH) for a few days to hit Storyland and Clark's Trading Post, then maybe down to Providence (Roger Williams Park) or Mystic (Seaport/Aquarium) for a day later in the week.



If there's any takers, a mini-meetup could be a possibility....





I'm taking vacation time September 3rd through 7th. I was thinking of going away someplace so I could tune out the GOP convention but it doesn't look like I will have enough money to really do anything which will leave Vegas as my one summer trip.



Although I do hape that I can head down to the ATL in November.

Comment by starling310 on 07/01/2008 14:18:02
Quote by Raine:

Ralph Nader.



:rage: R*cking Ralph :rage:




:rofl:



Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 14:24:15
I hope y'all will be around for Thursdays blog... :D... I think it is going to be a good one!

Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 14:27:23
Quote by Raine:

I hope y'all will be around for Thursdays blog... :D... I think it is going to be a good one!






Thursday is special?

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 14:32:38
Quote by capt:

Quote by Raine:

I hope y'all will be around for Thursdays blog... :D... I think it is going to be a good one!






Thursday is special?
Not usually... but I have a thing... it's an enigma wrapped in a mystery cloaked in confusion right now...



Comment by m-hadley on 07/01/2008 14:37:52
Heya Crew,

What's happening on Thursday? I'll be on the road and unable to blog. BTB, Star, Capt and Raine, I completely agree with you all re: General Clark - what he said is accurate, why is the GOP making such a fuss? Oh never mind, because they can :P

Cheers,

mfaye

:peace:

Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 14:41:33
Quote by Raine:

Quote by capt:

Quote by Raine:

I hope y'all will be around for Thursdays blog... :D... I think it is going to be a good one!






Thursday is special?
Not usually... but I have a thing... it's an enigma wrapped in a mystery cloaked in confusion right now...







I have a thing too but . . .



It is more like a sausage wrapped in my undies hidden in my pants . . .









Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 14:43:48
There's a monster in my pants and it does a naughty dance.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 14:45:16
* Ref blows a whistle and points the way to the penalty box for capt*

Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 14:46:00
* And Liv*



Liv you'll have to show capt where the squeeze bottle of Raintini's is.

Comment by Shane-O on 07/01/2008 14:46:25
There were a good couple MmHmmm's at about :38 after... :)

Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 14:49:48
Quote by wickedpam:

* And Liv*



Liv you'll have to show capt where the squeeze bottle of Raintini's is.


Will do.



: opens floorboards, shows raintini squeeze bottle:

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 14:52:01
Quote by capt:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by capt:

Quote by Raine:

I hope y'all will be around for Thursdays blog... :D... I think it is going to be a good one!






Thursday is special?
Not usually... but I have a thing... it's an enigma wrapped in a mystery cloaked in confusion right now...







I have a thing too but . . .



It is more like a sausage wrapped in my undies hidden in my pants . . .







:rofl:



Comment by m-hadley on 07/01/2008 15:06:04
Quote by starling310:

Morning!



FRANGELA!



My trip to our nation's capital this weekend was lovely. If you haven't seen the Roosevelt monument yet it's a must see!!!



Re: Wesley Clark. . . .Ummmm.....I TOTALLY agree with what he said. I'm sorry, but I do.





Starling,

I just wanted to second your recommendation of the FDR memorial - I spent one very bittersweet evening there with an ex (we walked around the pond holding hands

). Ah, memories, like the corners of my mind, misty... blah blah blah. She went back to her wife But the memorial was spectacular!!! :P

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: :peace:

Comment by TriSec on 07/01/2008 15:06:32
Alllright, people! This is a family blog.



:modbat:



Ok, so we're a sick, twisted, dysfunctional family, but it's still a family, dammit!



:kickcan:





Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 15:08:16
Quote by TriSec:

Alllright, people! This is a family blog.



:modbat:



Ok, so we're a sick, twisted, dysfunctional family, but it's still a family, dammit!



:kickcan:





Emphasis on sick, twisted, and dysfunctional.

Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 15:24:05
The return of loser townie guy.

Comment by TriSec on 07/01/2008 15:25:40
*grunt*



Well, I'm not fond of them (Raine has photographic proof), but where's that squeeze bottle?





Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 15:28:47
Quote by TriSec:

*grunt*



Well, I'm not fond of them (Raine has photographic proof), but where's that squeeze bottle?





I guess you had yours at the Florida meet-up.

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 15:32:25
YEs! WE are a family blog!





Oh, I totally crack myself up.

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 15:40:54
I read this Story in the Atlanta Creative Loafing *newsblotter* Atlanta doing the country proud.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/01/2008 15:41:09
I love Frangelas take on crime watch. :rofl:

Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 15:41:49
Quote by Raine:

YEs! WE are a family blog!





Oh, I totally crack myself up.




*from deep in the penalty box*



You guys make me laugh - inside and out



Thanks



*can I come out of the box now - I'll be good*



Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 15:42:10
Quote by Raine:

I read this Story in the Atlanta Creative Loafing *newsblotter* Atlanta doing the country proud.


Where's the good news from all the blue people down there?

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 15:43:57
:kickcan: for the second day in arow, Digg is giving me a hard time digging das bloggie. :(

Comment by livingonli on 07/01/2008 15:45:19
Quote by Raine:

:kickcan: for the second day in arow, Digg is giving me a hard time digging das bloggie. :(


Bastards!

Comment by Raine on 07/01/2008 15:45:31
Quote by capt:

Quote by Raine:

YEs! WE are a family blog!





Oh, I totally crack myself up.




*from deep in the penalty box*



You guys make me laugh - inside and out



Thanks



*can I come out of the box now - I'll be good*





Wow, I think this is a first. Someone didn't pass out comepletly in the box...



Comment by capt on 07/01/2008 15:46:35
Quote by Raine:

Quote by capt:

Quote by Raine:

YEs! WE are a family blog!





Oh, I totally crack myself up.




*from deep in the penalty box*



You guys make me laugh - inside and out



Thanks



*can I come out of the box now - I'll be good*





Wow, I think this is a first. Someone didn't pass out comepletly in the box...







I might have, I have issues . . .